May God Answer Your Long-standing Prayers
In the time of Herod, King of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the
priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron.
Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and
decrees blamelessly.
But they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were both very
old…
Once when Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, he was
chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood to go into the temple of the Lord and
burn incense…
Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense.
When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. But the angel said to
him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear
you a son, and you are to call him John.” (Luke 1:5-13).
priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron.
Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and
decrees blamelessly.
But they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were both very
old…
Once when Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, he was
chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood to go into the temple of the Lord and
burn incense…
Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense.
When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. But the angel said to
him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear
you a son, and you are to call him John.” (Luke 1:5-13).
There are two lessons that I want to draw our attention to from this passage as we celebrate
Christmas.
First, the passage tells us that both Elizabeth and Zechariah were righteous in the sight of God;
but they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive.
In spite of their impeccable record of righteousness, Elizabeth and Zechariah were childless!
The truth is: Your righteousness does not preclude you from encountering some measure of
suffering or having an unmet need in your life.
Zechariah was a righteous priest in the House of God but he had no child and now both he and
his wife were very old. But God gave them a surprise angelic visitation that changed everything.
As you celebrate this Christmas, maybe you have an unmet need in your life even though you are
living faithfully for God. People might even be saying all kinds of things about you because of
what you are experiencing. May the God who sent His angel to visit Zechariah, give you an
angelic visitation with good news that will change your situation.
Second: The passage tells us that both Zechariah and Elizabeth were very old and Zechariah
thought it was impossible for them to have a child. But the angel said to him, “your prayer has
been heard.”
This Christmas, may God surprise you by answering your long-standing prayers. May the
impossible become possible for you. May the God who took away the barrenness of Elizabeth;
take away every form of barrenness from your life.
Merry Christmas and a very prosperous and blessed new year to you.
Christmas.
First, the passage tells us that both Elizabeth and Zechariah were righteous in the sight of God;
but they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive.
In spite of their impeccable record of righteousness, Elizabeth and Zechariah were childless!
The truth is: Your righteousness does not preclude you from encountering some measure of
suffering or having an unmet need in your life.
Zechariah was a righteous priest in the House of God but he had no child and now both he and
his wife were very old. But God gave them a surprise angelic visitation that changed everything.
As you celebrate this Christmas, maybe you have an unmet need in your life even though you are
living faithfully for God. People might even be saying all kinds of things about you because of
what you are experiencing. May the God who sent His angel to visit Zechariah, give you an
angelic visitation with good news that will change your situation.
Second: The passage tells us that both Zechariah and Elizabeth were very old and Zechariah
thought it was impossible for them to have a child. But the angel said to him, “your prayer has
been heard.”
This Christmas, may God surprise you by answering your long-standing prayers. May the
impossible become possible for you. May the God who took away the barrenness of Elizabeth;
take away every form of barrenness from your life.
Merry Christmas and a very prosperous and blessed new year to you.
Prayer: Lord, I thank you for granting me the privilege to see another Christmas. Thank you for taking away every form of barrenness from my life; and answering my long-standing prayers. Amen.